Improved adjusting system for a masonry guide

ABSTRACT

The present application relates to a system for adjusting a masonry guide ( 100 ) relative to a brick wall to be laid. The system comprises a joint body ( 10 ) configured to be received in a joint of the wall, and first masonry guide attaching means ( 20 ) to be connected to the joint body and configured for attachment to the masonry guide ( 100 ). According to the invention the joint body ( 10 ) comprises two parts ( 11, 12 ) slidable into each other and connected releasably to each other in a position of use. The first ma -sonry guide attaching means ( 20 ) are configured for releasable attachment close to the underside of the masonry guide ( 100 ). The system further comprises second masonry guide attaching means for attaching the masonry guide ( 100 ) to an inner leaf of a cavity wall.

The present invention relates to a system for adjusting a masonry guiderelative to a brick wall to be laid, comprising a joint body configuredto be received in a joint of the wall, and first masonry guide attachingmeans to be connected to the joint body and configured for attachment tothe masonry guide.

Such a system is known from the international patent applicationWO2010/110656 of the same inventor.

The known system has diverse advantages. A significant advantage is thatthe masonry guide is attached by a joint body in the joint so thatdamage to the bricks can be avoided and repairs to the brick-built wallcan thereby be limited to a minimum. In general terms bricklaying cantake place more quickly and with a better result using the known system.

The present invention has for its object to improve the known systemstill further.

The system according to the invention has for this purpose the featurethat the joint body comprises two parts slidable into each other,wherein the parts of the joint body are connected releasably to eachother in a position of use.

After completion of the bricklaying operations and removal of themasonry guides the visible part of the joint body can be removed insimple manner by breaking the connection and sliding the two parts intoeach other. This can take place manually, for instance using a hammerand a striking pin. Remaining visible in the joint is only a minimalopening, which can be easily filled.

It is noted that from NL2004502 a system according to the preamble ofclaim 1 is known with a joint body with two parts slidable into eachother. In the known system the two parts of the joint body are notmutually fixed in the position of use. The known joint body is moreoverconfigured such that in the position of use one of the parts can be slidsufficiently far out of the joint to attach the masonry guide thereto.This can result in stability problems which can have adverseconsequences for the quality of the brickwork.

In a first preferred embodiment the joint body has in the position ofuse a maximum dimension in sliding direction which is smaller than orequal to the dimension of a brick in sliding direction. In practice thismeans that the length of the joint body will be smaller than or equal tothe width of the brick. Because the joint body is pushed in to the restposition after use, the joint body can then be wholly received in thejoint, even in the case of a half-brick wall.

In a first practical preferred embodiment the parts of the joint bodyare mutually connected by means of a breakable connection. A breakableconnection can be realized by means of a local weakening chosen suchthat it breaks easily under the influence of an impact force.

In a second practical preferred embodiment the parts of the joint bodyare mutually connected by means of a snap connection. The snapconnection can also be chosen such that it breaks easily under theinfluence of an impact force.

In a further preferred embodiment the connection lies out of the centreof the joint body. The first masonry guide attaching means can then beattached to the longer joint body part which can absorb more tensileforce.

In an elegant embodiment the joint body comprises a first part whichtakes an at least partially hollow form and a second part which isconfigured to be at least partially received in the first part, whereinthe first and the second part have a corresponding form, preferably atapering form. The corresponding form has to be releasable.

One of the parts is preferably provided on one outer end with one ormore positioning edges extending substantially transversely of the partfor the purpose of an accurate placing on the brick.

The positioning edges are preferably connected breakably to the part sothat they break off simultaneously with the connecting line upon impact.

In another embodiment the first masonry guide attaching means areconfigured for releasable attachment close to the underside of themasonry guide. The attachment close to the underside of the masonryguide corresponds to the traditional manner of attaching masonry guides.Another significant advantage is that the masonry guide can beuncoupled, whereby cleaning and finishing are also easily possible atthe corners. The combination of the two measures makes it possible tolift the masonry guide out of the first masonry guide attaching meansand displace it to further first masonry guide attaching means at ahigher position.

In a further development of this embodiment the first masonry guideattaching means comprise a coupling support for attaching to the jointbody and a base for attaching to the underside of the masonry guide,wherein the coupling support and the base are provided with firstco-acting coupling means.

According to yet another and very dimensionally stable development ofthis preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention furthercomprises a ground element, wherein the ground element and the base areprovided with first co-acting coupling means.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the system comprises secondmasonry guide attaching means for attaching the masonry guide to aninner leaf of a cavity wall.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the second masonry guideattaching means comprise a coupling piece for attaching close to theupper side of the masonry guide, a wall support for attaching to theinner leaf and a flexible coupling arm for connecting the coupling pieceand the wall support, wherein the coupling arm and the coupling pieceare provided with second co-acting coupling means. The wall support canbe attached to the inner leaf above the insulating material of thecavity wall. The insulating material can hereby remain intact and retaina constant R-value.

The invention also relates to a joint body as described as component ofthe system according to the invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to thefigures.

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the application of the system accordingto the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded view of diverse components of thesystem according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a joint body according to the invention in more detail;

FIG. 4 shows a component of the system according to the invention inmore detail;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show schematically a second preferred embodiment of ajoint body according to the invention;

FIG. 6A shows a partly cut-away view of a first variant of the secondpreferred embodiment of the joint body;

FIG. 6B shows a detail of a second variant;

FIG. 7A shows a partly cut-away view of a third variant of the secondpreferred embodiment of the joint body; and

FIG. 7B shows a part of FIG. 7A in more detail.

The figures illustrate the application of the system according to theinvention for adjusting a masonry guide 100 relative to a brick cavitywall to be laid. FIG. 1 shows schematically diverse components of thesystem according to the invention in a position of use.

Wall 220 forms the outer leaf of a cavity wall and is referred to in thefield as facing brickwork. As is usual, the cavity wall furthercomprises an inner leaf 210. Insulating material 230 is arranged betweeninner leaf 210 and outer leaf 220.

As is usual, a string or wire is tensioned between two masonry guides100 just above the brickwork in progress such that the brick wall 220 tobe laid can be laid level. Suitable masonry guides 100 are known in thefield. In this example a wooden profile beam 100 is illustrated which isdisposed in vertical position close to the corner of wall 220.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded view of further components of thesystem according to the invention. FIG. 3 shows a joint body 10according to the invention in more detail.

According to the invention a joint body 10 is incorporated in a joint222 between two bricks 221 lying one above the other. Joint body 10,further referred to as joint plug 10, serves to connect to wall 220first attaching means 20 configured to be attached to masonry guide 100.

For a stable vertical position second attaching means 30 for the masonryguide are provided for the purpose of attaching masonry guide 100 toinner leaf 210 of the cavity wall.

The most important component of adjusting system 1 according to theinvention is joint plug 10, which comprises two parts 11 and 12 slidableinto each other. Parts 11 and 12 of joint plug 10 are connectedreleasably, preferably breakably, to each other by means of a connectingline 13. Connecting line 13 forms a weakening in the material of jointplug 10 which will break loose easily under the influence of an impactforce, for instance with a hammer and a striking pin, after which part12 will slide at least partially into part 11.

The two joint plug parts 11, 12 have a corresponding form. In the shownpreferred embodiment the two joint plug parts have a tapering form.First part 11 preferably takes a hollow form and second part 12 an atleast partially solid form. The length of joint plug 10 substantiallycorresponds to the width of a brick 221. First part 11 is shorter thansecond part 12. The dimensions of parts 11 and 12 are chosen such thatpart 12 can slide into part 11 once connecting line 13 has been broken.After part 12 has been knocked at least partially into part 11, jointplug 10 will no longer be visible from outer leaf 220. The joint needonly be filled at this position in order to conceal part 12 wholly fromview.

For a rapid, precise placing joint plug 10 can be provided on an outerend with one or more positioning edges extending substantiallytransversely of part 12. The positioning edges are preferably connectedbreakably to part 12 so that they will break off easily after beingsubjected to a blow.

For a good adhesion in the joint material part 11 can be provided oneither side with wings. The wings preferably take a thinner form thanpart 11 and are provided with holes.

Joint plug 10 is preferably manufactured from plastic, in particular ahard plastic.

The first masonry guide attaching means 20 are configured to be attachedto masonry guide 100. The first masonry guide attaching means 20comprise a base 22 for attaching to the underside of masonry guide 100.The first masonry guide attaching means 20 also comprise a couplingsupport 21 for attaching to joint plug 10. Coupling support 21 and base22 are provided with first co-acting coupling means 24, preferablyco-acting pins 24A and holes 24B.

Coupling support 21 comprises a flat surface which lies against brick221 in the position of use. In order to prevent damage to the bricks thesurface is preferably provided with a soft material, for instancerubber. Coupling support 21 comprises a hole 23, preferably a slottedhole, through which screws can be inserted in order to screw couplingsupport 21 to part 12 of joint plug 10. Part 12 is provided for thispurpose with holes 14.

The first co-acting coupling means 24 can be attached to couplingsupport 21 by means of adjusting means, for instance a slotted holeconnection 25. Masonry guide 100 can be coupled in releasable manner bymeans of the first masonry guide attaching means 20 to coupling support21, which is temporarily attached to joint plug 10.

FIG. 4 shows a component of the system according to the invention inmore detail. When the bricklaying operations begin, practical use can bemade of a ground element 26 to attach the underside of masonry guide 100to ground surface 200, for instance a concrete floor. Ground element 26is provided with parts of the first co-acting coupling means, in thisembodiment pins 24A, for the purpose of releasable coupling to base 22of masonry guide 100. Ground element 26 is further provided with holes27 for fixing to the ground surface 200. The ground element ispreferably plate-like and also functions as adjusting plate. The groundelement is provided with a setting line M which represents the wallline. The brick wall is laid partially on ground element 26 along lineM. A number of rows higher a joint plug 10 is then inserted in astraight line above ground element 26. The first masonry guide attachingmeans 20 can then be connected to joint body 10. The adjusting systemaccording to the invention is guaranteed to be dimensionally stable.

The second masonry guide attaching means 30 comprise a coupling piece 31for attachment preferably close to the upper side of masonry guide 100,and a wall support 32 for attaching to inner leaf 210. A flexiblecoupling arm 33 is further provided for the purpose of connectingcoupling piece 31 and wall support 32. Coupling arm 33 and couplingpiece 31 are provided with second co-acting coupling means 34 forreleasable coupling of masonry guide 100 to inner leaf 210.

The second co-acting coupling means 34 preferably comprise twoplate-like parts on the outer end of coupling piece 31 or arm 33 whichare rotatable relative to each other. Arm 33 or coupling piece 31 can beconfigured to receive one of the two parts, which are embodied such thatthe second co-acting coupling means can be locked in position byrotation thereof. Coupling piece 31 preferably comprises an angleelement with which it can be screwed to masonry guides of diversedimensions. Wall support 32 is preferably screwed to inner leaf 210 atone attachment point and is further provided with a hole 35, preferablya slotted hole, for mounting of arm 33. Using these second masonry guideattaching means 30 the masonry guide 100 can be releasably coupled toinner leaf 210 at a second position.

Flexible arm 33 is preferably manufactured from plastic so that it onthe one hand guarantees a reliable position of masonry guide 100 whileon the other hand providing the flexibility required to enable masonryguide 100 to be moved if necessary.

The first and second masonry guide attaching means are provided as faras possible with slotted holes so as to simplify a dimensionally stableattachment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show schematically a second preferred embodiment of ajoint body 110 according to the invention as alternative to joint body10. Joint body 110, also referred to as joint plug 110, is shown in FIG.5A in the position of use in which the joint plug has the maximumdimension in sliding direction. This maximum dimension is equal to orsmaller than the corresponding dimension of the brick in slidingdirection. In the shown preferred embodiment the maximum length of jointplug 110 is equal to or smaller than the width of brick 221. In FIG. 5Bjoint plug 110 is shown in pushed-in position or rest position. Just asjoint plug 10, joint plug 110 comprises two parts 111 and 112 slidableinto each other. Parts 111 and 112 of joint plug 110 are releasably ordetachably connected to each other by means of a connection 113, 113′ or213. These different connections are shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and FIGS. 7Aand 7B. Connections 113, 113′ and 213 are easily releasable ordetachable under the influence of an impact force, for instance with ahammer and a striking pin, after which part 112 will slide at leastpartially into part 111.

In the second preferred embodiment the part 111 is provided on bothsides with side wings 115. Side wings 115 are optionally provided withholes 116 for the purpose of fixing joint plug 110 to the brickwork.Part 111 is provided on the side remote from part 112 with rear wings117. Part 112 is provided on the front side with holes 114 forconnection to the first masonry guide attaching means. Part 112 isfurther provided with optional positioning edges 118 extendingsubstantially transversely of part 112. Positioning edges 118 arepreferably manufactured from a flexible material so that they can bendwhen part 112 slides into part 111. Positioning edges 118 canalternatively also take a breakable form.

FIG. 6A shows a partly cut-away top view of joint body 110 provided witha first variant of the connection 113 between part 111 and part 112.FIG. 6B shows a detail view of a second variant of the connection 113′between part 111 and part 112. Each of the connections 113, 113′ takes areleasable form here and functions as snap connection. Snap connection113, 113′ fixes part 112 relative to part 111 in the position of use.After removal of the masonry guide and the first masonry guide attachingmeans the joint plug 110 can be moved to the rest position. Connection113, 113′ is snapped loose or broken off under the influence of animpact force and part 112 can be pushed into part 111.

FIG. 7A a partly cut-away top view of joint body 210 provided with athird variant of the connection 213 between part 211 and part 212.Connection 213 is a breakable connection. Connection 213 can be brokenunder the influence of an impact force on part 212, after which part 212can be pushed into part 211.

Joint plug 210 is further wholly similar to joint plug 110. Allcorresponding components have reference numerals increased by 100relative to the components of FIG. 6A.

In all shown preferred embodiments the connection 13, 113, 113′, 213serves to fix the parts 111 and 112 in the position of use. Theconnection is such that it releases under the influence of an impactforce, for instance by breaking or snapping loose. The connection canextend along a line such as (a part of) the peripheral edge of part 112or can be formed by discrete points, and is generally a local weakeningof the material.

The invention is based on the concept of attaching a masonry guide onthe underside and/or on the upper side to the brick wall to be laid bymeans of the joint body according to the invention. When this inventiveconcept is applied in the case of a cavity wall, the upper side of themasonry guide can be attached to the inner leaf and an optimal two-pointattachment will suffice. With the adjusting system according to theinvention a (permanent) coupling between the inner leaf and the outerleaf can be avoided and the associated drawbacks, including moisturetransport and dirt accumulation, will not occur. The dimensions of thejoint plug are the same as or smaller than the dimensions of the brick.The joint plug according to the invention is therefore also suitable foruse in a half-brick wall since in the rest position the joint plug canbe wholly received in the mortar of the joint.

The invention is of course not limited to the described and shownpreferred embodiment but extends to any embodiment falling within thescope of protection as defined in the claims and as seen in the light ofthe foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A joint body for adjusting a masonry guide relativeto a brick wall to be laid, said joint body being configured to bereceived in a joint of the wall, wherein the joint body comprises twoparts connected to each other in a position of use by a connection thatis releasable under the influence of an impact force, characterized inthat the two parts are slidable into each other after the connection hasbeen released, the slidability having a direction, by an impact force inthe sliding direction.
 16. The joint body as claimed in claim 15,wherein the joint body has in the position of use a maximum dimension insliding direction which is smaller than or equal to the dimension of abrick in sliding direction.
 17. The joint body as claimed in claim 15,wherein the two parts of the joint body are mutually connected by meansof a breakable connection comprising a breakable line running along theperipheral edge of one of the parts.
 18. The joint body as claimed inclaim 15, wherein the parts of the joint body are mutually connected bymeans of discrete points forming a breakable connection or a snapconnection.
 19. The joint body as claimed in claim 15, wherein thereleasable connection lies out of the centre of the joint body.
 20. Thejoint body as claimed in claim 15, wherein the joint body comprises afirst part which takes an at least partially hollow form and a secondpart which is configured to be at least partially received in the firstpart, wherein the first and the second part have a corresponding form.21. The joint body as claimed in claim 20, wherein the correspondingform is a tapering form.
 22. The joint body as claimed in claim 15,wherein one of the parts is provided on one outer end with one or morepositioning edges extending substantially transversely of the part. 23.The joint body as claimed in claim 22, wherein the positioning edges areconnected breakably to the part.
 24. A system for adjusting a masonryguide relative to a brick wall to be laid, comprising a joint bodyaccording to claim 15 and first masonry guide attaching means to beconnected to the joint body and configured for attachment to the masonryguide, wherein the first masonry guide attaching means are configuredfor releasable attachment close to the underside of the masonry guide.25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the first masonry guideattaching means comprise a coupling support for attaching to the jointbody and a base for attaching to the underside of the masonry guide,wherein the coupling support and the base are provided with firstco-acting coupling means.
 26. The system as claimed in claim 25, whereinthe system further comprises a ground element, wherein the groundelement and the base are provided with first co-acting coupling means.27. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the system furthercomprises second masonry guide attaching means for attaching the masonryguide to an inner leaf of a cavity wall.
 28. The system as claimed inclaim 27, wherein the second masonry guide attaching means comprise acoupling piece for attaching close to the upper side of the masonryguide, a wall support for attaching to the inner leaf and a flexiblecoupling arm for connecting the coupling piece and the wall support,wherein the coupling arm and the coupling piece are provided with secondco-acting coupling means.